Evaluation of zone-disinfection effect of air-passable plasma filter in a novel chamber model.
J Hosp Infect 2022;
128:1-7. [PMID:
35788014 DOI:
10.1016/j.jhin.2022.06.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Disinfection of shared spaces has become essential to minimize the spread of various diseases. An efficient disinfection device that can simultaneously inactivate airborne bacteria and surface adhered bacteria in an enclosed space is required.
AIM
An air-passable plasma filter (APF) was developed and applied to a chamber model to evaluate the zone-disinfection effect.
METHODS
The 60 litre chamber consisted of a nebulizer, circulation fans, temperature and humidity monitors, an air sampling port with a sealed gate, airborne bacteria trapping media, and a built-in fan for evaluation. After spraying each bacterial strain (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Mycobacterium smegmatis) as a bioaerosol, airborne and surface-attached bacteria were quantified simultaneously to evaluate the zone-disinfection effect of APF.
FINDINGS
The operation of APF in the 60 litre chamber showed a complete zone-disinfection effect for E. coli (10 min), S. epidermidis (10 min), and M. smegmatis (60 min) present in the air and on the walls at various locations. The time required to completely disinfect each of the airborne bacteria and surface-attached bacteria within the same space was different.
CONCLUSION
APF has the potential to exhibit significant germicidal effects on various microorganisms and can be an effective alternative for disinfection of enclosed spaces.
Collapse